Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Friday of the twenty-eighth week in ordinary time, October 16, 2026.
The theme for our meditation today is: Light Vanishes Darkness. There was a fifth grade elementary student named Anto, who screamed hysterically and cried in his room at midnight. He had a nightmare, where he was chased by some wild animals. His father immediately went into the room, turned on the light and calmed the son. Anto's fear slowly disappeared, but he asked his father not to leave him. The father must sleep with him. Anto really enjoyed a new light because the darkness and terrifying dream have vanished.
For God and His power that we all believe in, that darkness is an enemy that must be defeated. Satan with all its tricks and wickedness play its main role in this darkness. There are many men and women who follow Satan in darkness. The darkness indeed blocks our eyes to see. Our hearts also cannot see things in the spiritual aspect when sin and evil really darken our minds and hearts.
The Gospel readings these days of our daily celebration of liturgy illustrate how strong and even severe acts of Jesus toward the hypocritical attitude. Hypocrisy is, in principle, a pattern of living in darkness. Originally, hypocrite means actor, that is, a person who acts and becomes as if someone or something which is not his or her real self. Jesus faught this attitude till the end of His life on earth. The hypocritical people act and appear really good and holy for others to see, but in fact they are evil doers and trouble makers.
The hypocritical people love to wear masks to cover their weaknesses and evil plans, and this really reveals their dark life. They always worry that light will confront their darkness then finally reveal their secrets. They actually bear heavy burden and have a miserable life. At first they fear of themselves because in certain point of life they will not be able to maintain this darkness that always protects them. They also are afraid of other people and the Lord as well because time will come when their lies and hypocrisy will be known by the public.
So to remain true followers of Christ, we need to stop being hypocritical. This darkness surely will not last forever. God and His angels, including those around us, plus the help of the advancement of communication tools today, sooner or later will reaveal everything from its hidden darkness. Saint Paul in his letter which is our first reading today, affirms that our life which is guided by the Holy Spirit is a life of light. The darkness vanishes, and we must maintain this precious life.
Let's pray. In the name of the Father ... O glorious Lord Jesus Chirst, under the light of Your resurrection, may we always receive this power to spread Your truth to the whole world. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...
